Scientists point to a new reason that heat waves are dangerous for seniors. (© New Africa - stock.adobe.com)
NEW YORK — Heat stroke is no joke. As the summer months get hotter and hotter, many people are looking for the best places to cool off. However, many Americans are stuck in broiling temperatures all season. That’s especially true for seniors — who are also among the most vulnerable to heat stroke. For those looking to avoid the dangers of sweltering heat, a new study is revealing the most dangerous places for older adults this summer.
Researchers at Carewell looked at both climate and census data from the 100 most populous U.S. cities to determine which ones pose the greatest risks to seniors during the summer. This included comparing the number of Americans over the age of 60 to the previous high temps from last summer and the current forecasted highs for 2024.
Hate the Heat? Stay Out of Arizona
Probably to no one’s surprise, Arizona dominates the list of the cities with the highest risk for senior heat stroke. In fact, six out of the top 10 cities with the greatest risk reside in Arizona. At the top of that list is Scottsdale, Arizona.
With Arizona becoming a trendy retirement spot for many seniors, it’s not incredibly surprising that Scottsdale has the highest percentage of residents over age 60 (34.9%). With past temperatures and forecasted temperatures both well over 100 degrees, Scottsdale received a perfect score of 100 when it comes to heat stroke risk in Carewell’s study.
Also making the list from Arizona were Mesa (3rd), Glendale (6th), Tucson (8th), Chandler (9th), and Phoenix (10th).
Rounding out the top five were Henderson, Nevada (2nd), Las Vegas, Nevada (4th), and St. Petersburg, Florida (5th).
Is California the Next Arizona? Meteorologists Think So
Although states like Arizona, Florida, Nevada, and Texas might jump to the top of mind when it comes to scorching summer heat, the study finds that California is becoming ground zero for high temperatures.
The study finds the top four cities with the highest forecasted summer temperatures are all in California this year! Fresno, California and Tucson, Arizona tied for the highest forecasted high temp at 104.6°F.
Stockton, California (102.7°F), Sacramento, California (101.1°F), and Riverside, California (98.6°F) are all predicting boiling summer temps, which could make things very dangerous for seniors venturing outside.
What Exactly is Heat Stroke?
Heat stroke is a severe form of hyperthermia that occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature, resulting in an internal temperature that can rise to 104°F or higher. This condition can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
The symptoms of heat stroke include a high body temperature and an altered mental state or behavior, such as confusion, agitation, or slurred speech. Patients may also develop hot and dry skin, rapid and strong pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, and loss of consciousness. Unlike heat exhaustion, which often results in heavy sweating, heat stroke often involves a lack of sweating, as the body’s cooling mechanisms fail.
Older adults are particularly susceptible to heat stroke due to several factors. As people age, their bodies become less efficient at regulating temperature. This problem can be attributed to a decrease in the ability to sweat, changes in blood circulation, and a diminished sense of thirst, which can lead to dehydration.
Additionally, older adults are more likely to have chronic health conditions or take medications that impair the body’s ability to respond to heat. These factors, combined with a potentially reduced physical ability to escape hot environments or to access adequate cooling and hydration, make heat stroke especially dangerous for the elderly.
Methodology
For this study, Carewell used Open-Mateo to gather past summer maximum temperatures and forecasted maximum temperatures for the 100 most populous cities in the U.S. Past maximum temperatures used were from 5/1/2023 to 9/30/2023 and 5/1/2024 to 6/16/2024. The forecasted maximum temperatures used were from 6/18/2024 to 7/3/2024. Carewell researchers also used U.S Census Bureau data to gather age demographics for the 100 most populous cities in the U.S.
